Harrison throws 77 pitches in rehab outing

Pitching on the road against Arkansas, Harrison allowed three runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Harrison was originally scheduled to pitch on Sunday, but his start was delayed one day by rain.

The Rangers will re-evaluate Harrison after getting the reports from Frisco and talking to him later this week. He'll still likely need at least two more starts on rehab assignment before he becomes an option at the Major League level.

Beltre recognizes DL stint is 'probably smart'

ARLINGTON -- Adrian Beltre said that it was "probably smart" to go on the disabled list with a strained left quad muscle. But that doesn't mean he was happy with the Rangers' decision.

"I was planning to play tomorrow, but it was out of my hands," Beltre said before Monday's game against the Mariners. "I did not agree with the decision, but it was out of my hands. Obviously, the medical staff and the front office thought it was for the best."

The Rangers placed Beltre on the disabled list before Sunday's game retroactive to April 9. He is eligible to come off on April 24, which is an off-day before the Rangers open a three-game series with the Mariners in Seattle.

"It's always difficult to talk to one of your best players about going on the disabled list," manager Ron Washington said. "We want to be careful. We did what we thought was right for him and the Texas Rangers."

Kevin Kouzmanoff is filling at third base while Beltre is out.

"He probably wasn't a realistic option until late this week or weekend," general manager Jon Daniels said of Beltre. "So the decision really came down to six or seven games. It's not a risk we wanted to take at this point of the season, putting him out there compromised, and with cool weather, too. I hate being without him, but we didn't want to tempt fate and risk tacking on a much longer period of time. We're hoping the extra week of rehab pays dividends."

Beltre has dealt with hamstring problems in the past, but this is the first time he has had a quad problem. He missed a week in Spring Training when the quad was bothering him, and the problem came up against last Tuesday in Boston.

The time on the disabled list should help the recovery and allow him to figure out a way to manage the issue. But he doesn't expect to be 100 percent when he comes off the disabled list next week.

"The last time I was 100 percent was 50 years ago," said Beltre, who turned 35 the day before he re-injured the muscle in Boston.

Soria to get the ball as Rangers' closer

ARLINGTON -- Manager Ron Washington said if the Rangers have a lead going into the ninth inning on Monday night, Joakim Soria will be on the mound as the closer.

Alexi Ogando picked up his first save on Sunday, getting the call after Soria had pitched two days in a row. Washington said Ogando will likely get more chances to close as the season progresses, but Soria is still his No. 1 closer.

Soria has pitched in five games for the Rangers and has been successful in his only save opportunity. He was also the losing pitcher in a 6-5 loss to the Astros on Saturday night and has allowed four runs in five innings so far.

"He can spot the ball," Washington said. "I know his command hasn't been as sharp as it can be, but he can spot it up. There have been times when he's gone out there and things have fallen into place and times when he's gone out there and not had the command he usually has. He pitched two days in a row, so I went with Ogando.

"Ogando is going to get chances to close. But closing down games is not just giving the ball to somebody because they have stuff. You've got to have nerve. You've got to be able to shut things down when it starts to break down. That's Joe Nathan. We'll see how Ogando handles it. He's going to get a chance to close ballgames, that's all I can say."

Rangers designate McCutchen for assignment

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have designated pitcher Daniel McCutchen for assignment to make room for Colby Lewis on both the active and 40-man roster. McCutchen pitched in one game for the Rangers, but lost his long relief job when the Rangers acquired Hector Noesi from the Mariners.

Joe Saunders, who is on the disabled list with a bruised left foot, threw in the bullpen on Monday for the first time since his last start against the Rays on April 4. The Rangers will wait to see how Saunders comes through his bullpen and then put him through some field drills to test the foot. Saunders, who was hit in the foot by a line drive in his last start, is eligible to come off the disabled list on April 20.

Rangers proud to wear No. 42

ARLINGTON -- As the Rangers set to honor Jackie Robinson on Tuesday against the Mariners, their players are proud to wear the No. 42 jersey.

"It's an amazing day," shortstop Elvis Andrus said. "Every year I learn something more about Jackie Robinson and what he meant to baseball. We're very blessed to wear his number for one day. Every time I wear his number, I wish I could play like him."

The first Jackie Robinson Day was held on April 15, 2004, commemorating the anniversary of his first game in the Major Leagues and the breaking of baseball's color barrier. Ceremonies are held in 15 cities and all players wear No. 42. The number is retired throughout the league and no player will ever wear it now that Mariano Rivera is retired as well.

"It means a lot to us," outfielder Alex Rios said. "He gave us the opportunity to shine in this game. We do it with a lot of pride and respect. It's a great day to honor him."

Worth noting

• The Rangers have three shutouts in their first 12 games. The last time that happened was in 1980 when they had three shutouts in nine games. Jon Matlack started two games and Gaylord Perry one.

• Catcher Robinson Chirinos, who did not start on Monday, is 4-for-4 throwing out basestealers. He is the only catcher with multiple attempts who has not allowed a stolen base so far this year in the Majors.

• Andrus on getting ejected Sunday by home-plate umpire Alan Porter for arguing balls and strikes: "We were arguing about that pitch and I guess he didn't like what I was arguing. I guess he thought he had the right to throw me out. I didn't say anything bad, he just threw me out. He gave me a warning after I threw my bat. After that I said, 'That pitch is down,' and he threw me out."

•: The Class A Myrtle Beach Pelicans defeated Salem, 9-6, on Tuesday afternoon for their seventh straight win. All seven wins have been on the road, tied for the longest road winning streak in club history. Third baseman Joey Gallo has a six-game hitting streak at 9-for-18 with four home runs and 11 RBIs. He was named the Carolina League Player of the Week.

• Pitcher Ben Rowen, who missed most of Spring Training with biceps tendinitis, has been activated at Triple-A Round Rock. Pitcher Cory Burns has been placed on the temporary active list.